Comments on the race of life.

Mental health wards and smoking/vaping

Frank Davis wrote a recent post which reminded me of an experience I watched years ago happening to someone who was forbidden to smoke in a mental health ward at a hospital near us. Her suffering was unnecessarily and savagely compounded. It was a disgrace.

It means patients detained under the Mental Health Act are forced to abstain from smoking during the course of their admission, as they are unable to leave the premises.

Bosses said the policy, which also covers e-cigarettes, follows national guidance and patients will instead be offered nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or chewing gum.

But staff and campaigners have raised serious concerns, saying the ban could lead to increased agitation, aggression and violence on the wards.

One nurse, who asked not to be named for fear of being disciplined, said: “What I have observed so far is a significant increase in patient harm due to the ban. Violence has increased, with emotional distress and frustration subsequently having a detrimental effect on patients.”

This includes banning vaping? What is the world coming to? There are some places where banning smoking/vaping is NOT appropriate!